Diamond & Gladwell

1) What are Diamond’s main claims?

Jared Diamond discusses the broad pattern of human history on all continents and asks himself a question of why history took such different evolutionary courses for peoples of different continents. He compares the evolution of different parts of the world and explains what the main causes were of why history turned out to be the way it is. He states that there are several essential factors which denote the differences between human societies and their evolution on different continents. As these he considers primarily continental environments and the effects of isolation and not biological differences among peoples themselves as one might think.

2) Which examples or pieces of evidence struck you as most significant/interesting?

Personally, I find very interesting how Jared Diamond is able to prove the correctness of his argument on history evolutions on all continents. The fact that he supports his claims by explaining these exact examples of how and most importantly why the world is the way it is today feels very powerful.

3) What are your thoughts on Diamond’s argument? Do you have questions, or are there any points you would like to extend, challenge or respond to?

From my point of view, he presents relevant arguments supported by valuable evidence. I mostly agree with his argument, especially, when he states that “rate of human invention is faster, and the rate of cultural loss is slower, in areas occupied by many competing societies with many individuals and in contact with societies elsewhere”. I think this is a trend which is important and obvious in all societies because the effect one has on another is enormous either when speaking of individuals or more complex societies.

4) What are Gladwell’s most interesting claims?  Can you see connections between Gladwell and Diamond?

Malcolm Glawell discuss the topic of people’s success and more importantly, the way that leads to the success. He argues that “people don’t rise from nothing”. He states that there are certain beneficiaries of hidden advantages (which he presents by showing how sport systems work when selecting “talented or better” players) and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow these lucky people to learn and work hard thanks to the machinery of achievement. He claims that success is not based on individual merit, yet he argues that there are certain factors which enables some people make sense of the world in ways others cannot.

I definitely see a connection between these two texts. Both of these two texts claim there are specific factors which determine the way our lives develop. While Diamond explains these factors by showing evidence for societies, Gladwell concentrates on individuals.